N4 ROUTE UPDATE (June/July 2009)

Almost half of accidents in 2009 on N4 Toll Route caused by speed (Jan to April)

Speed directly causes loss of control over vehicles. Almost half of all accidents this year were single vehicle accidents (47%) where the driver lost control.

Speed law enforcement by camera is now regularly done in construction sections and at high accident zones along the N4 Toll Route, and as determined by the Provincial Traffic Authorities.

Furthermore, recent traffic monitoring on the N4 Toll Route indicated that many road users do not adhere to the 2-second following distance rule. This caused 19% of the head-tail collisions during the first 4 months of 2009.

Tyres in a poor condition are a major safety risk. 12.7% of accidents on the N4 Toll route during this year were caused by tyre blow outs.

Consider your own and fellow road users’ safety:

• Adhere to speed limits
• Keep a proper following distance
• Ensure that your vehicle is roadworthy
• Regularly check tyre pressure
• Don’t make u-turns on the highway
• Always drive with the utmost care and concentration

Look out for pedestrians and slow moving vehicles (SMV)

Pedestrian accidents often increase during the winter months, mainly because of poor visibility caused by fog and also because the sun sets much earlier in winter.

Avoid driving in the yellow line. Pedestrians often walk in this area and they are not visible until is too late. Always be cautious and on the look out for pedestrians crossing the highway, especially in the Witbank area.

Winter is also citrus harvesting season. Many slow travelling tractors with trailers use the main road in Schoemanskloof, Croc Valley and Kaapmuiden areas. More casual labourers are employed during harvesting season which leads to a significant increase in pedestrian traffic in these areas.

ROAD IMPROVEMENTS - SEE YOUR TOLL FEES WORKING FOR YOU
Due to construction along certain sections of the N4, road users may experience slow traffic conditions (bottle necks) during peak traffic periods. It is advisable, where possible, to travel out of peak periods.

• UPGRADING

Belfast to Wonderfontein
Construction is progressing at a rapid speed and nearing completion. Speed restrictions from 60-80km/h to 100km/h still apply along this section. Final completion is expected around August 2009.

Nelspruit’s Northern Bypass (Ring Road)
Primary construction of the Nelspruit Northern Bypass is progressing well at three sites along the 19 kilometre section.

The route has been cleared through Hall’s and Crocodile Estates farmland and earthworks and bridges are now being constructed at some intersections. There will be 25 bridges (excluding culverts) as every traversal of the main roads, Nel- and Crocodile rivers need to be spanned by a bridge.

The R660 million Ring Road is a three phase project. Each phase is expected to take 26 months to complete. The first section from Alkmaar to the Friedenheim Road has been awarded to engineering company WBHO, and the second section from Friedenheim Road to the Crocodile Valley to CMC Joint Venture. The final stage to Karino will be constructed by Rumdel.

The new N4 bypass will branch off at Mataffin (just east of Cairn, where the bridge over the railway line is currently under construction, skirt Riverside Mall, bridge the R40 and the Crocodile river and continue through to Karino where it will rejoin the N4 on the eastbound side.

On completion, the new road will ease traffic congestion through Nelspruit’s central business district and the layout around Mataffin will provide easy access to the new Mbombela stadium.

Impact on road users
The initial phase will provide a single carriageway in both directions. At present work on the new road has little impact on N4 road users.

Temporary speed reduction signs have been erected. Beware of construction trucks:

• Nelspruit city
• Cairn
• Crocodile Valley
• Entering Nelspruit, just east of Halls Gateway
• Near construction of the Mbombela stadium access roads and the P166- road bridge over the N4 through town where a Stop/Go is in operation
• At the new Ilanga Mall construction site in Nelspruit (next to the N4, close to Mercure Inn)

Matola-Maputo
Rehabilitation of this section of road is planned to commence during July/August 2009. Work will take 4 months to complete. During this time traffic delays will be experienced.

Montrose – Nelspruit
This section of road will be rehabilitated. Work to commence early 2010. The road will also be repainted to provide more traffic capacity.

Sappi area
Rehabilitation work and an asphalt overlay are planned for the section of road near the Sappi plant in Ngodwana. Work expected to commence late this year, or early next year.

Middelburg to Wonderfontein
Construction teams will be busy with repairs to the gravel shoulder.

Schoemanskloof (De Beers Nek – N4-6Y 20.0 East)
Repairs to the concrete wall (damaged by a rock slide) is complete. As soon as the concrete has cured, backfilling and construction of a gabion wall (wire mesh baskets filled with rocks) behind the concrete wall will commence. It is expected that work can start from middle of June 2009.

Grass cutting
Contractors are currently busy with the full winter cut along various sections of the road.

ROAD ACCIDENT STATISTICS (N4 Toll Route: April holiday period)
(N4 Toll Route – these statistics are for the existing N4 Toll Route from Pretoria to Maputo)

120 accidents were recorded on the N4 Toll Route during April 2009. These include 86 accidents in South Africa and 34 in Mozambique.

The majority of these accidents (SA and Mozambique) were single vehicle accidents (50) followed by head-tail collisions (27) and then head-side accidents (20).

During April the main cause of accidents was negligent driving. Other causes during the same period include:

• Speeding
• Blow-out of tyres
• Pedestrians
• Slow moving traffic
• Falling asleep

• Friday and Saturday afternoons
• July school holiday
• Prior, during and after the Innibos Arts Festival in Nelspruit (July 01 – 05)

TRAC’S ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TEAMS KEEP YOU SAFE
Trans African Concessions offer a breakdown and rescue service, called TRACassist on the N4 Toll Route between Pretoria and Komatipoort. With this service, TRAC hopes to add value to the experience of its motoring community. “No-one knows when their vehicles might breakdown and leave them stranded along the side of the road. The TRACassist team will come to your rescue when you need it most, and will remain with you until your vehicle can move again, or has been towed away,” says TRAC’s CEO, Arthur Coy. They can’t perform specialised mechanical services, but will call out the correct service providers which are charged to the user.

During the first two months of 2009, TRAC has already assisted 305 road users with problems ranging from mechanical breakdowns, flat tyres and empty fuel tanks. “It is our aim to ensure that everybody remains safe.

Call TRACassist during emergencies, when in distress, or to report hazardous incidents.

0800 TRAC N4 (0800 8722 64)

…/ends

ISSUED: JUNE 05, 2009